MODULE NO.

5
SUBJECTS IN ART
(REPRESENTATION & NON-REPRESANTATIONAL)
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INTRODUCTION
In almost all art forms – painting, sculpture, photography, music, literature,theater, or
dance – there is a subjectthat serves as the foundation of the creation of the work of art. The subject
matter is the most important aspect of an artwork. It is what the work of art represents. It may be a
person, an object, a scene, or an event. The subject provides the answer to the question: “what is the
work of art all about”?
The subject matter of art should not be the basis of judging work of art. Some arts have subject,
others do not. It doesn’t mean that representational arts are superior to non-representational arts.
What matters most in art is not the subject matter, but how well the artist handles or presents that
subject matter in his or her work.

OBJECTIVES
 Differentiate content from subject
 Classify artworks according to subject
 Analyze how artists present their subjects in relation to the real subject.
 Characterize sources and kinds of art

LESSONS

Topic
a. Source of subject (nature, history, Greek, and Roman mythology, Judeo-Christian
tradition, sacred oriental texts, other works of art)
b. Kinds of subject (history, still life, animals, figures, nature, landscape, seascape,
cityscape, methodology, myth, dreams and fantasies)
c. Content in art (level of meaning)
- Factual
- Conventional
- Subjective

I. INTRODUCTION
The term subjects in art refers to the main idea that is represented in the
artwork. The subject in art is basically the essence of the piece. To determine
subject matter in a particular piece of art, ask yourself: What is actually depicted
in this artwork? What is the artist trying to express to the world... what is his or
her message? And how are they conveyingthat message?

II. SUBJECT IN ART

In viewing art, there are clues that mediate between the artwork and the
viewer, allowing the viewer to more easily comprehend what he is seeing. These clues are
the three basic components of a work of art.
- Subject -the visual focus or the image that may be extracted from examining
the artwork; the “what”.
- Content – the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the artwork;
the “why”
- Form – the development and configuration of the art work – how the
elements and the medium or material are put together; the “how”

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 1. Representational art- These types of art have subjects that refer to objects or
events occurring in the real world. It is also termed figurative art because the
figure depicted are easy to make out and decipher.
It aims to represent actual objects or subjects from reality. They are artworks
based on images which can be found in the objective world, or in the artist
imagination. It is the oldest of the three types of art. It is the easiest to
identify from a viewer’s perspective. It represents largest collection of
artwork created and has gone through many phases and movements but the
principle of presenting it recognizable subject matter has stayed the same.

Despite not knowing who Mona Lisa is, it is clear that the painting is of woman
that is realistically-proportioned; only the upper torso is shown; a beguiling and mysterious
smile is flashed, the background is a landscape,

2. Non-Representational art- Art forms that do not make a reference to the real
world. Whether it is a person, place, thing, or even a particular event. It is a
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 stripped down to visual elements, such as shapes, lines, and colors that are
employed to translate a particular feeling, emotions and even concept.
Non - objective art or non-representational is essentially an artwork that
does not represent or depict a person, place or thing in the natural world.
Many have difficulty in understanding the differences between abstract art
and non-objective art. The difference lies in the subject matter chosen. If the
artist begins with a subject from reality, the artwork is considered to be
abstract.If the artist is creating with no reference to reality, then the work is
considered to be non-objective.

III. SOURCES
AND KIND OF
SUBJECT

For non-representational art, a higher, level of perceptiveness and insight might

be required to fully grasped the feeling , emotion, or concept behind the work.
For representational art, it is easier to enter the subject matter because from the
figures depicted, in the artwork, there is already a suggestion as to its implication.

Naturein Art

The exploration of nature in art can take endless forms, because nature
provides us with such a vast wealth of inspiring phenomena. Artwork based on nature
can take many forms and serve many purposes. Because "nature" is such an immense
topic that encompasses so many things, I can only provide a partial list of the various
subtopics that may appear in nature-related artwork:
Nature in art can take many visual forms, from photorealism to abstraction.
Art can mimic nature, by seeking to visually replicate objects as they actually appear in
real life. But abstract paintings can also take their visual cue from actual forms in
nature, such as the painting below. This piece arose from the study, observation, and
contemplation of natural phenomenaand natural forms.

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History

Comprise all the creation of human society that have been preserved to present data in
the forms of material culture, writings, customs, religion, art and traditions. All historical
sources divide into 2 groups.

PRE-HISTORIC ART

•Cave at Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc in the

Ardèche valley in France, are more than
30,000 years old

• Best known examples of prehistoric

painting and drawing

1. Primary sources- an artifacts, documents, diaries, manuscript, photos and other

sources of information that was created at the time under study.
2. Secondary sources– comments, research or interpretation that is built on primary
sources.
3. clearly

IV. KINDS OF SUBJECT

1V. CONTENT OF ART

The meaning or message that is expressed or communicated by the artwork. In
understanding the content of art, is important to note that there are various levels of
meaning:

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  Factual meaning – the most rudimentary level of meaning for it may be extracted from
the identifiable or recognizable forms in the artwork and understanding how these
elements relate to one another.
 Conventional meaning – Pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the artwork
using motifs, signs, and symbols and other cyphers as bases of its meaning. These
conventions are established through time, strengthened by recurrent use and side
acceptance by its viewers or audience and scholars who study them.
 Subjective meaning – When subjectivities are consulted, a variety of meanings may
arise when a particular work of art is read. These meanings stem from the viewers or
audience’s circumstances that come into play when engaging with art ( what we know,
what we learned, what we experienced, what values we stand for) . Meaning may not
be singular, rather, multiple and varied.

Analysis:

 Subject: Biblical art

 Factual Meaning: Creation Story (Creation of Man)
 Conventional Meaning: Man was created in the image and likeness of God
 Subjective Meaning: Endowment of intellect to man from God

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Activities:
1. Modular Instruction

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 Look at the painting below by artist David Bailly entitled Selbstbildnismit
Vanitassymbolen(Self-Portrait with Vanitas Symbols). List down everything that you see within
the four corners of the work. List as many items as you can in 3 minutes.
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ASSESSMENT TASK

1. Search adigital or printed copy of Filipino contemporary artwork to be presented

using PowerPoint Presentation, Identify and discuss the subject source, type and
kind of subject.

CONTENT IN ART: AN ANALYSIS

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 Subject:

Factual meaning

Conventional meaning

Subjective meaning

Rubric :

Use the rubric to assess the output of the students.

20 – The students present it in a clear and consistent manner . There are no
major grammatical error.
15 - The students presents it in do so in somewhat consistent manner .
There may be minor grammatical error.
10 - The students have difficulty in presenting and explaining his/her output.
There may be major grammatical error.
5 - The students make an attempt to draw, but the explanation is without merit.

2. Gallery visit:
Search or visit online a gallery or a museum. Write a Reflection paper on;
“My experiences during a visit to a gallery or museum

Rubric to assess the output of the students;

Scale Description
5 Facts are consistently detailed/precise and very relevant, Uses correct
spelling and grammar effectively almost all of the time. Addresses the
question completely.
4 Most facts are detailed/precise and relevant, Uses spelling and
grammar with considerable accuracy and effectiveness. Addresses the
question, but left out few details.
3 Lacks few substantial detail and examples to support ideas. Spelling and
grammar require moderate editing. Addresses the question, but
provided few details.
2-1 More specific details and examples are needed to support opinions.
Spelling and grammar require considerate editing. Addresses the
question, but in very few detais.

3. Watch the video “MONALISA” The Greatest Painting Explained” by James Payne

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SUGGESTED REFERENCES:

PRINTED MATERIALS:

Solmerano ET. (2019). Art Appreciation. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Manila , Philippines

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OUTLINE RESOURCES:

1. Subjects in Art: Explore Different Subjects in Art from Past to Present — Art is Fun. (2020).
Retrieved 31 August 2020, from https://www.art-is-fun.com/subjects-in-art

2. Subject and Content of Arts. (2020). Retrieved 31 August 2020, from

https://www.slideshare.net/janril/subject-and-content-of-arts

3. Nature in Art: Detailed Discussion of Nature Inspired Art and Artists — Art is Fun. (2020).
Retrieved 31 August 2020, from https://www.art-is-fun.com/nature-in-art

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